Taking care of your general health, as well as your teeth, is the key to a healthy mouth.

Taking care of your general health and your mouth is the key to making the most of your smile.

Brushing your teeth twice a day (last thing at night before you go to bed and on one other occasion) with fluoride toothpaste and having regular check-ups with a dentist can help to keep your teeth healthy. Diet, smoking and drinking alcohol also have an effect on dental health.

A healthy diet is good for your teeth

What you eat and drink can cause tooth decay, so a healthy diet is important for your teeth.

A balanced diet includes plenty of fruit and vegetables, as well as starchy foods, such as bread, rice, potatoes and pasta (choose wholegrain versions and eat potatoes with their skin where possible).

You should also eat sources of protein such as meat, fish, eggs, beans or other non-dairy sources of protein, and some milk and dairy foods (ideally lower-fat options).

Only eat small amounts of food and drinks high in fat and sugar. The eatwell plate shows how the different types of food should make up your diet.

Reduce sugar to prevent tooth decay

Limiting the amount of sugar you eat and drink is important to prevent tooth decay.